The Huskies haven’t been able to figure it out this year. They have had a chip on their shoulder because of their back-to-back championships, and Dan Hurley isn’t pleased. With the recent controversy that Hurley found himself in, the public opinion about him has started to change.

On The Field of 68: After Dark, popular analyst Scott Van Pelt expressed his frustrations with Dan Hurley’s behavior so far. He mentioned that while Hurley is pleasant to talk to, and that Van Pelt has had positive interactions with him, his behavior doesn’t cut it. “That face, and the hand behind the back, and the berating of people? Like enough man, enough… You just need someone … to call you out on your bulls–t.“

On top of having an issue with Hurley’s attitude, Van Pelt called for an intervention. “Whether it’s your spouse, your athletic director, your whoever, someone has got to be able to just like… ‘what are we doing in pick and roll here? Like, what?’ And you just, you gotta look at that,” he said, in essence noting that someone needs to rescue the UConn coach from the apparent ego trap he has found himself in.

That is not to say that Van Pelt believes Dan Hurley to be a mean man at all. In fact, it was the opposite. “This is a bright, thoughtful man. Like, if he was an a–hole, then I just say, ‘he’s not redeemable.’ But he’s not,” the national reporter said.

However, the way Dan Hurley has been treating referees is deplorable. That is something almost everyone agrees with. In a game on December 28, 2024, against Villanova, Hurley was caught on camera directing profane language toward referee Jeffrey Anderson, calling him a “f—ing clown.” More recently, during a game against Butler, he lashed out again, telling a referee, “Don’t turn your back on me. I’m the best coach in the f—ing sport.” These antics have started to overshadow his coaching, with frustration boiling over in ways that have cost his team. His technical foul at the Maui Invitational is a prime example, where his outbursts arguably hurt UConn’s chances in key moments.

While frustration is understandable given the expectations surrounding UConn and the way their season is unfolding, there’s a fine line between competitive fire and letting emotions dictate the game.

As Hurley grapples with managing his emotions, the real test for UConn may not only come from their opponents, but from within—whether Hurley can find a balance between his fiery passion and maintaining control when the pressure is on. This internal struggle is amplified by the absence of Liam McNeeley, whose return could be the key to easing some of that pressure.

How crucial is the return of McNeeley? Hurley downplays the need for a savior

Liam McNeeley has been out for nearly a month now, getting injured in the Huskies’ last game against DePaul. The six-foot-seven NBA prospect is suffering through an ankle sprain, and has missed many games. Without him, the Huskies don’t look as menacing as they used to.

In a media availability, Dan Hurley talked about McNeeley’s return and his expectations for it. “Liam helped us in a variety of ways. We wouldn’t need him to come back and drop 25 points a game and bail us out that way.”

Furthermore, Hurley continued with his praise of the future NBA prospect. “His presence would take pressure off of other players right now that are starting to wear down or need another really good player on the court to create some openings and easier things for them.”

The return of McNeeley would certainly change the game for UConn and Dan Hurley. They managed to get their groove back in the Huskies’ rematch against DePaul, but tougher matchups are lying in wait for the reigning champs. Dan Hurley’s squad next faces top-ranked Marquette and St. Johns back to back, a stretch that could define their season.

The irony in all of this? Hurley downplays the need for a savior on the court, yet Van Pelt argues he needs one off it. If the Huskies want to make another deep tournament run, it might not just be about McNeeley’s return—it might be about Hurley’s ability to rein himself in before it costs them even more.